Shannon McCollum Conjures Gordon Parks
I met Shannon years ago working on a story for an Atlanta publication. I could tell you how dope he is; but read the classic joint (so dope it became Shannon’s official bio) and peep the video to see for yourself.–Ed
OTHER SIDE OF THE GAME
Internationally Acclaimed Photographer Shannon McCollum Conjures Gordon Parks
by Edward M. Garnes Jr.
The following joint is an exclusive excerpt from award winning writer Edward M. Garnes, Jr.’s long awaited collection Other Side of The Game: Rare Testimonials On Music & Black Cultural Production to be published by Home Grown in 2009.
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In the height of ATL’s midday rush, everyone from round-the-way girls to the elitist upper management types marvel at the life-like depiction of Lenny Kravitz. The image is more addictive than the over-priced coffee hawked at the quaint Little Five Points spot. But this is how most people experience the work of Shannon McCollum – by simply living. Anyone can shoot images. McCollum embodies experiences.
The self-taught artist inherited his proficiency from his father (a former photographer for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution) whose images of Nelson Mandela, Earth Wind & Fire and Muhammad Ali adorned his childhood home. “My father is a photographer and it was always in my family. My dad gave me a camera, all the lenses I needed and all the film I could ever use. I don’t have any schooling, but I’m an aggressive learner,” McCollum recounts. After 15 years of blood, sweat, and film, the silent rebel was launched into international acclaim while MTV captured him shooting exclusives of Gerald Levert’s daughter, Carlysia, on the reality show, Sweet 16.
Navigating beyond industry politics with an infectious southern charm and keen cultural eye, McCollum’s candid portraits have traced the evolutionary genius of funk mavens OutKast, captured the elusive flair of Erykah Badu, confirmed John Legend’s cool, reaffirmed The Last Poet’s necessity, and redeemed the Notorious BIG. His intimate masterpieces have blessed the pages of the coveted publications The New York Times, Rolling Stone, XXL, Boston Globe, Vibe, and Black Enterprise.
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McCollum has an uncanny foresight to identify and document up and coming artists who become musical icons that drive our culture. From the beginning of OutKast’s career as southern artists with a couple of radio-friendly regional hits to becoming multi-platinum global phenomena, McCollum recorded their evolution.
Considered the Gordon Parks of Hip-Hop, McCollum has shot Goodie Mob, Brian McKnight, Jermaine Dupri, P. Diddy, Wu Tang Clan, Coretta Scott King, Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., to name a few.
Absent of pretense and an ultra fabulous method, McCollum is the visionary of choice among underground kings and modern day musical legends. Just as Langston Hughes penned verses for everyday people, McCollum’s legacy is anchored in the heart of common folks who appreciate his endearing productions.
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[...] Badu were taken by my friend Shanon Mc Collum. Shannon is a tall, sweet and talented Atlanta based Photo Journalist and is known as the “Gordon Parks” of Hip Hop. If you don’t know who Gordon Parks is, Google [...]
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